Strength training for runners used to be an optional part of the plan. You’d see a cross training day and think ehh maybe I’ll ride my bike or go for a swim. While those are fantastic ways to cross train, they’ll never come close to the benefits a runner gets from working on strength.
Now, all of our athletes are required to incorporate strength training.
We put it in the plan and we follow up to make sure it’s happening! I’ve found two things really help us stick with a runner strength training plan:
- Knowing exactly how it’s going to make us a better runner.
- It needs to be quick, so we can keep getting in our miles.
- Understand where we can use bodyweight and when we benefit from dumbbells.
I’m the first to admit that if weight training leaves me so sore I can’t get in my miles, I’m unlikely to want to do it again. Running is my primary goal, my strength training needs to enhance the speed, distance or feel of those runs!
What is Strength Training for Runners?
Strength training for runners is just strength training. Period.
There is no special way that women should train or that taller or shorter people should train. What we are usually referring to is a program that helps to focus on the most common areas of weakness for runners.
In addition to that,…
